Course Overview

Introduction

The Godolphin International Thoroughbred Leadership Programme is a two year full-time management training programme. It combines a dynamic range of lectures, visits and hands-on experience.

There is continual assessment throughout the course which includes appraisals and a challenging series of projects, assignments and examinations on the theoretical and practical material covered. Individual externships are organised for trainees throughout the course.

There is a significant element of self-study of prescribed course materials. The Godolphin International Thoroughbred Leadership Programme has developed links with established universities and training providers worldwide who deliver and certify business and equine modules. Trainees who reach the standard required will be awarded the Godolphin Flying Start Diploma on completion of the course.

“Godolphin Flying Start programme is truly an exceptional experience that exceeded all of my expectations. Throughout the course, we had the incredible opportunity to meet a wide variety of industry participants, from seasoned professionals to emerging leaders, and learn from their invaluable insights and experiences. The connections we made with Godolphin Flying Start alumni provided us with a supportive network of mentors and peers who have walked the path before us. This programme is a remarkable journey of personal and professional growth, and I am immensely grateful for the knowledge and skills I have gained. I will be forever grateful for the support of HH Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin for this amazing programme.”

Megan O'Leary, 2024 Godolphin Flying Start graduate

Thoroughbred Production and Management

Practical horse handling takes place in Ireland, England, Kentucky, Australia and Dubai. Trainees are involved in the running of thoroughbred breeding and racing operations at each location. This includes daily care of mares, foals and racehorses along with some exposure to the administration and management aspects involved. There are skills assessments in the areas of horse care and handling, veterinary and farriery. An Equine Anatomy and Physiology module is completed at the University College Dublin and Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky.

 

Business Management

Management modules are delivered in blocks throughout the programme culminating in an enterprise and business planning skills module. Trainees develop a broad range of management skills, including marketing, finance, HR and Technology and produce their own business plan as a final assignment. An Entrepreneurship module is completed at the University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

 

Bloodstock, Breeding and Racing

Lectures and visits are scheduled to take place in each country. Lectures are delivered by Godolphin personnel, professional training providers and by industry leaders in the relevant topics. Visits include studs, training yards, auction houses, racecourses, veterinary hospitals and research facilities. Key personnel at these locations give a behind-the-scenes insight into the inner workings of their operations. Sales and racing attended include the Goffs Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Breeding Stock Sale, Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Irish Champion Stakes, Kentucky Derby and Melbourne Cup.

 

Leadership and Communications

Individual coaching and mentoring are part of the Godolphin Flying Start experience. A blend of workshops and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is used to develop personal awareness as a foundaton for leadership development. Trainees develop their public speaking skills at conferences held in Ireland, USA and Australia. Creativity, teamwork and communications are enhanced through workshops and individual mentoring. A Leadership module is completed at the Australian Graduate School of Management.

 

Externships

There is a total of 16 weeks spent on externships between the USA, Australia and Europe. These usually take place outside of the Godolphin organisation and trainees are placed individually giving a great opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills.

Course Phases

Ireland Phase 1

Godolphin’s Kildangan Stud, County Kildare, Ireland, is where the first phase of Godolphin Flying Start commences in August each year. This phase is about 10 weeks long and trainees live in shared houses in a rural setting on the farm. They are surrounded by rich land, beautiful trees, horses and Godolphin employees on a daily basis. The Godolphin Flying Start training suite is in a central location, beside the main office of Godolphin Ireland. The local town, Kildare, borders the Curragh training grounds and the home of Irish classic racing, The Curragh racecourse. Trainees attend the Goffs yearling sale with agents and consignors, many of whom are alumni of the program. They go racing at Leopardstown and The Curragh. They attend University College Dublin for their Equine Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction module and gain practical experience breaking yearlings each morning in Kildangan Stud. Modules include multimedia skills, communication skills and personal development. Godolphin Flying Start is accredited by University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School as a Level 9 Graduate Certificate in Management (Thoroughbred Industry).

UK Phase

Newmarket, England, is the second phase of the first year of Godolphin Flying Start. Up to 8 weeks in duration, it commences at the end of October to mid- December. Living in the town that is the historical home of horseracing trainees are surrounded by trainers, stud managers, agents, and horses on a daily basis. The expansive Newmarket Heath is on their doorstep, where the blueblood champions of today and tomorrow train each morning. Trainees attend the Tattersalls Breeding Stock sale with agents and consignors, many of whom are alumni of the program. They attend the British Racing School and experience the Dalham Hall Stud office. They go racing at Newmarket, Huntingdon and Chelmsford City. Modules include legal, bloodstock insurance and media skills. Godolphin Flying Start is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as a short course provider in the UK.

USA Phase

Lexington, Kentucky, USA, is the third location for first year Godolphin Flying Start trainees to experience and learn about the thoroughbred industry. The trainees arrive in January and stay for six months in this dynamic and diverse location. They live in shared apartments in the city suburbs with equal distances to Godolphin USA, or downtown Lexington. Keeneland sales and racetrack are on their doorstep, as are the many farms and thoroughbred industry administration and regulatory organisations. Trainees attend Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales. They go racing at Turfway and Keeneland. They attend the University of Kentucky for their Equine Nutrition module and gain practical experience with breeding stock each morning at Flying Start partner farms in the area. Modules include Racing Officials Accreditation Program, Farriery, Finance, Legal, Multimedia and Communication skills. Trainees complete their first externship of the program for four weeks at the end of this phase.

Australia Phase

Godolphin Australia is based in the magnificent Hunter Valley in New South Wales, and this is where the trainees commence their second year, and fourth phase, of Godolphin Flying Start. Commencing in August, this phase is five months long. They live in shared apartments in the small town of Aberdeen, within a few kilometres of all of the leading Australian stud farms. Local racing takes place at Scone and Muswellbrook, and trainees attend racing at Randwick and Rosehill in Sydney at weekends. A Leadership module takes place at the Australian Graduate School of Management and they gain practical experience with trainers and stud farms each morning at Flying Start partner farms in the Hunter Valley. Modules include Management Workshops and Communication skills. Trainees complete their second externship of the program for eight weeks at the end of this phase, wrapping up with the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale.

Dubai Study Tour

Trainees complete a study tour in Dubai, UAE in January. This is their fifth location to experience and learn about the thoroughbred industry and UAE culture. They live in campus accommodation in the Jumeirah Beach area and attend racing at Meydan, Jebel Ali and Al Ain as well as visiting Dubai-based trainers and downtown Dubai City. They visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and the old city of Dubai.

Ireland Phase 2

The final four month phase of the program is based at Kildangan Stud in Ireland. This phase is focussed on entrepreneurship and trainees attend University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School to learn the skills to pitch their own business proposal as their final project. Modules include career development, finance and digital marketing. Trainees visit industry leaders in a range of businesses, from technology to retail and various thoroughbred entities. They arrange their own practical experience with trainers, studs, racetracks and auction houses in the local area. The final externship takes place at the end of this phase, just before graduation.